Summary

• CSI: Vegas provides opportunities for early CSI characters to wrap up their character arcs in the long-running franchise.
• Actors returning for reboots and spin-offs is common in network television, giving CSI: Vegas a wealth of characters and episodes to draw from.
• Iconic characters like Gil Grissom, Sara Sidle, and Catherine Willows have already made appearances in CSI: Vegas, setting a precedent for more to return.

The CSI franchise is well-known for its many spin-offs and crossovers, and with the prominence of the latest series, CSI: Vegas, there are new opportunities for early CSI characters to the show. Actors returning for a reboot or spin-off is common practice in network television, and a franchise like CSI is rife with opportunities because of how long-running its shows are. Within the franchise, the shows include the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, and the little-known CSI: Cyber.

Iconic characters like Gil Grissom (Will Petersen), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), and Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) have all made an appearance on CSI: Vegas, wrapping up their character arcs.

Although CSI: Vegas can't use crossovers like the original series, the show still has a wealth of characters, history, and episodes to draw from. The series was originally an epilogue for the main show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, also set in Las Vegas. Due to this, iconic characters like Gil Grissom (Will Petersen), Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), and Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) have all made an appearance on CSI: Vegas, wrapping up their character arcs. This has set a precedent for additional actors to return and give the audience insight into what they're up to.

10 Dr. Raymond Langston - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Played by Laurence Fishburne

Dr. Ramond Langston was one of the best characters in the CSI universe, and Fishburne's performance has much to do with this. Langston brought a unique perspective to the CSI team but left after a serial killer targeted him and his family, which spurred him to action that led to an internal affairs investigation. Though a trauma like that would make anyone leave detective work behind, he still maintained a strong sense of justice that might appear in his becoming a consultant in CSI: Vegas. Additionally, bringing on an actor of Fishburne's caliber would be great publicity for the show.

9 Frank Tripp - CSI: Miami

Played by Rex Linn

Frank was an important part of the CSI: Miami team because he was a detective, not a CSI, so his style of investigation differed from the cold, analytical style the CSIs usually favor. It takes both emotion and logic to catch the bad guy, and Tripp was frequently the muscle behind the CSIs when they were involved in particularly dangerous cases. There is plenty of room for a character of this type on CSI: Vegas, and it would be interesting to see how an old-fashioned man like Tripp copes with the modern and fast-paced setting of Las Vegas.

8 Morgan Brody - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Played by Elisabeth Harnois

In the final season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Morgan Brody rounded out the CSI team as a skilled analyst who is fueled by her experience as a CSI in Los Angeles. It's there that she meets the rest of the Vegas team and eventually moves to the city to the team. Although Brody isn't the type to put down roots when she arrives in Vegas, this soon changes, and the other characters become important parts of her life. It would be reassuring to see Brody surrounded by friends and loved ones in the future.

7 Dr. Al Robbins - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Played by Robert David Hall

No team of CSIs can survive without a skilled and wise medical examiner, and Dr. Al Robbins gave even the legendary Gil Grissom a run for his money. As a character, Al positively represented people with different mobile capabilities, as he lost his legs at a young age. However, this didn't stop him from doing everything he set out to do, and his brilliant career as a coroner displays this. Although he is technically retired, the CSIs in CSI: Vegas could use the help of a seasoned professional like himself once in a while.

6 Mac Taylor - CSI: NY

Played by Gary Sinise

Mac Taylor was always a standout in the crossover episodes of CSI, so his ing the team in Las Vegas for one last ride would align with his past behavior and his sense of loyalty. New York is Taylor's home and the place where he lost his first wife, so he would never permanently leave, but if there was a case about the military in Las Vegas, it might be wise to call on him. His background in the military influenced his leadership style and decision-making skills and also provided critical insight into certain cases.

5 Lady Heather - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Played by Melinda Clarke

Lady Heather is a complex character in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and her nuanced relationship with Gil is part of the reason for this. CSI: Vegas has already missed an opportunity to include Lady Heather, but future seasons might see a return of the iconic woman. She is a dominatrix in Las Vegas and finds herself at the center of several cases that bring her and Gil together. Since CSI: Las Vegas continues doing investigative work within Las Vegas, it wouldn't be a leap for the new team to encounter Heather and discover what she's been up to.

4 Jo Danville - CSI: NY

Played by Sela Ward

Sela Ward's Jo Danville was a late addition to CSI: NY. She replaced Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), the previous second in command to Taylor, and soon proved she was just as capable of working with him and staying one step ahead. Her reputation preceded her as she worked as an FBI agent in Washington D.C. It's a shame that Danville was only present for the last few seasons because there was so much left for her character to do and so much room to grow. CSI: Vegas would be a great way to conclude her character arc.

3 Calleigh Duquesne - CSI: Miami

Played by Emily Procter

In CSI: Miami, Calleigh was an essential part of the ensemble. She served as a positive representation of female characters with her strength, intelligence, and empathy. She was a foil to the stoic Horatio Caine, the team leader played by David Caruso, who most likely won't return for CSI: Vegas. While Caine was the protagonist of Miami, Duquesne was what made the show great and was the character that united the team in moments of strife. Duquesne would have many other strong women to connect with and play off of on CSI: Vegas, and she would doubtlessly enjoy the opportunity.

2 Eric Delko - CSI: Miami

Played by Adam Rodriguez

If Duquesne s the cast of CSI: Vegas, it would only be right that Eric Delko s her. Similarly to Gil and Sara, Eric and Calleigh end up together at the end of CSI: Miami, and catching up with them and their children later on would be a welcome and heart-warming addition to the show. Delko would doubtlessly take on a father-figure role for the younger CSIs and step into the mentor role. He would prove himself useful for his underwater analysis, and it wouldn't hurt to see him have a sweet moment with Duquesne.

1 D.B. Russell - CSI: Crime Scene Investigation & CSI: Cyber

Played by Ted Danson

CSI: Cyber was the worst of the CSI shows, but Ted Danson as D.B. Russell was a bright spot in that series, as well as the original CSI. He stepped in as a team leader toward the end of the first series, but his impact has far outweighed his short time within the franchise. Russell's style of leadership, charisma, and genuine kindness make him loved by all who work with him and create an efficient team dynamic. He would easily fit into the existing group of investigators on CSI: Vegas and ease the tension during high-stress cases.